𝓕𝓮𝓮𝓵𝓼 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮
ᴾᵉᵉ ʷᵉᵉ ᶜʰᵃᵐᵖⁱᵒⁿˢʰⁱᵖˢ ᵃⁿᵈ ˢᵐᵒᵒᶜʰᵉˢ

❆₊˚｡౨ৎ₊˚｡❆

The Ducks stood in a tight line at center ice, their jerseys crisp, their skates shifting ever so slightly against the smooth, frozen surface.

Across from them, the Hawks mirrored their stance, clad in black, their expressions cold and calculating.

The bright overhead lights gleamed off freshly cut ice, casting long shadows beneath the players' feet.

In the stands, fans waved banners and wore their team's colors proudly—parents and supporters all waiting for the battle to begin.

The Ducks exchanged glances, some filled with nervous excitement, others with quiet determination.

Then, the first notes of the national anthem echoed through the arena.

A hush fell over the crowd as the players removed their helmets, pressing them to their chests. The familiar melody rang out, swelling through the space, a moment of unity before the chaos of the game.

Juliet stood in line with her teammates, her heart pounding in her chest.

She glanced up into the stands, her eyes immediately finding her parents.

Her mom was beaming with pride, while her dad gave her a small, encouraging nod.

She smiled and waved before quickly refocusing, setting her gaze back on the flag as the national anthem played.

The final note rang through the arena, and the moment of calm shattered as the energy in the building surged.

Bombay exchanged a knowing smirk with Riley, but the Hawks' coach merely scoffed, turning away as he clapped his hands sharply.

"Let's go!" Riley barked, his team responding instantly, their skates cutting across the ice as they moved toward their bench.

Bombay's voice rang out, steady and confident. "Let's go! All right!"

The announcer's voice boomed through the arena speakers.

"Welcome to the Minnesota State Pee Wee Championship! Have we got a game for you today! The Hawks, coached by Jack Riley—"

"Hawks fans, let me hear you!" the announcer added, and the Hawks' side erupted in deafening chants.

"Win! Win! Win! Win! Win! Win! Win!"

Riley smirked, joining in with his team's fans, his confidence radiating as he clapped along.

Back in the Ducks' box, Juliet stood at the edge, gripping the boards beside Charlie and Connie. The roar of the Hawks fans sent a chill down her spine, but she refused to let it shake her.

Bombay clapped his hands together, his voice cutting through the noise. "Come on, let's get fired up!"

He took a deep breath, then started the chant.

"Quack. Quack. Quack. Quack."

One by one, the Ducks joined in, their voices growing louder, stronger, until the entire team was yelling.

The crowd caught on, and soon the entire Ducks section was chanting, their energy matching the Hawks'.

"Quack ! Quack ! Quack ! Quack! "

Juliet's heart raced as she locked eyes with Charlie. His face was full of excitement, his grin wide as he joined in the chant.

Bombay threw his fist in the air. "Goooo ducks ! "

The players banged their sticks against the boards, their adrenaline at an all-time high as they surged onto the ice.

The game was on.

The moment the puck hit the ice, the Hawks took control. They moved fast, their passes precise, their strategy aggressive.

The Ducks barely had time to react before McGill took possession, slicing through the defense with ease.

Juliet skated backward, keeping pace with a Hawks player rushing toward the goal.

She knew their reputation. They were fast, strong, and ruthless. She had to stay sharp.

The Hawks passed the puck back and forth, their movement seamless.

McGill sent a sharp pass to Larson, who powered forward. Juliet tried to block him, but he faked left and went right, throwing her off just enough to slip past.

"Come on, defense!" Bombay shouted from the bench.

Juliet spun around, racing to catch up, but Larson was already at the net. He wound up and fired—

"Shot!" Charlie called.

Goldberg dove, but the puck sailed past him into the net.

The red goal light flashed.

The Hawks players cheered, slapping each other on the backs.

"And the Hawks score first! What a start to this championship match!"

" shit ! " Juliet cursed under her breath, skating back to the bench.

"It's okay, Ducks," Bombay reassured. "We'll get it back. Keep your heads in the game."

The Ducks refocused, determined not to let the Hawks control the game.

The next face-off was intense. Jesse skated in, using his speed to steal the puck. He spun away from a defender, racing down the ice.

"Ducks with possession! Jesse Hall streaks up the wing!"

Juliet skated ahead, positioning herself near the goal.

Jesse faked a pass to Terry, then slid the puck toward her.

"Go, Juliet!" Noah shouted from across the ice.

She took the pass smoothly, handling the puck with practiced precision.

A Hawks player closed in, but she spun around him, keeping the puck on her stick.

Spotting Adam Banks open near the net, she sent a sharp pass his way.

"Here's Banks in the slot. He stops, shoots—he scores!"

The Ducks' bench erupted in cheers.

"Yes!" Juliet shouted, throwing her arms up.

Adam skated over, grinning. "Nice pass, Jules!"

"Nice shot, Banksie !" she called back, bumping fists with Adam.

But the Hawks weren't backing down. They came back harder, their checks rougher, their plays sharper. McGill slammed into Noah, sending him crashing into the boards.

Juliet skated over, furious. "Watch it!"

McGill just smirked. "What are you gonna do about it?"

Before she could respond, the whistle blew for a face-off.

Bombay called for a line change. "Noah, take a break. Charlie, you're up!"

The face-off was deep in Hawks territory. The puck dropped, and Guy won possession, passing it quickly to Conway.

Charlie maneuvered around a defender, keeping his eyes on the net.

"Conway with the puck! He's got an opening!"

Juliet skated up alongside him, ready for a rebound.

Charlie faked a shot, drawing the goalie out, then slipped the puck to Guy.

"Germaine with it! He shoots, he scores!"

The crowd erupted.

Juliet turned to Connie and smirked. "Look at your husband."

Connie grinned, watching Guy pump his fist. "He did good, didn't he?"

Juliet made a face. "Yuck."

Connie nudged her. "Don't think I didn't notice you hugging Charlie every time we score."

Juliet's face burned. "That's different."

"Sure it is."

The scoreboard read 3-3 as the game entered its final minutes. The Ducks needed one last play.

Bombay called the team over. "Goldberg, you're coming out. Fulton, you're our extra man. Everybody, get the puck to Fulton."

Fulton adjusted his gloves. "Pulling the Statue of Liberty play?"

Bombay shook his head. "No, take your shot. You might only get one chance, so make it count."

The team nodded.

The puck dropped. The Ducks fought fiercely, passing it back and forth. Juliet skated alongside Charlie, both of them pushing forward.

Time running out! Ducks need to make a move!"

Jesse intercepted a pass and sent it flying toward Charlie. He caught it, dodging a Hawks player before passing it back to Juliet.

She skated forward, then spotted Fulton open at the blue line. With a flick of her wrist, she sent the puck his way.

"Reed with the puck! He winds up—"

Fulton took the shot.

The puck rocketed forward like a bullet. The Hawks scrambled, players diving out of the way. The goalie reached out—

But it was too late.

The puck slammed into the net.

Announcer: "HE SCORES! THE DUCKS WIN IT! THE DUCKS HAVE WON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP!"

The arena erupted into chaos. The Ducks threw their sticks in the air, tackling each other in celebration.

Juliet turned, excitement bursting inside her. "We won! We won!"

Before she could think, she threw her arms around Charlie. "We did it!"

Charlie laughed, hugging her tightly. "Yeah, we did."

Charlie's smile softened as he gazed at her, the excitement of their victory still evident in his expression. "We really did it, huh?"

Juliet nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah. We did."

Without thinking—before she could talk herself out of it—she leaned in and pressed a quick, warm kiss to his cheek.

Charlie froze for a second, his face turning bright red. His lips parted slightly as if he was about to say something, but no words came out.

Juliet stepped back, suddenly feeling nervous. "That was... uh, for good luck. For next time. You know, if we ever... win another championship."

Charlie blinked, still processing. Then, slowly, a wide grin spread across his face. "Guess we'll have to win another one, then."

Before Juliet could respond, their teammates swarmed them, celebrating, hugging, shouting in excitement. The sound of footsteps echoed from the stands as parents and families rushed down onto the ice.

Her mom and dad were among them, both beaming with pride. "Juliet! Noah!" Emma called out, reaching for her daughter and pulling her into a tight embrace. "That was incredible!"

Mark ruffled Noah's hair before clapping a proud hand on his son's shoulder. "You two played your hearts out. We're so proud of you."

Juliet hugged her mom, then turned to her dad. "Thanks, Dad. It means a lot that you were here."

"Wouldn't have missed it for the world," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Nearby, Connie was grinning at Guy, her hands gripping his jersey. "You did amazing out there."

Guy smirked. "So did you."

Before he could say anything else, Connie stood on her toes and kissed him right on the lips, her arms looping around his neck.

The Ducks let out a chorus of cheers and whistles.

"Finally!" Averman laughed.

"Called it!" Jesse said, nudging Terry.

Juliet watched the scene unfold and felt herself smile. Maybe she wasn't the only one realizing things tonight.

She glanced over at Charlie, who was still smiling at her, his cheeks just as pink as before. Her heart skipped a beat.

Yeah. This night was one for the books.